Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Veteran's hypertension, stroke, kidney/renal insufficiency, and dementia are all granted as service-connected due to herbicide agent exposure.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is also granted as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension on a presumptive basis due to exposure to herbicides during service in Vietnam, resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Veteran's hypertension and sleep apnea claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination. The Veteran is presumed exposed to toxic substances during service, but a TERA medical examination is required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development related to toxic exposure and other medical issues. The specific nature of his disabilities, including their etiology, will be further evaluated.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back disability and loss of use of the left lower extremity, may have contributed to his right shoulder injury and amputation. The Board finds that an examination is needed to determine if he needs regular aid and attendance due to these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including degenerative joint disease of the knees and shoulder, neuropathy of the lower extremities, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. The issues of PTSD, depression, a sleep disorder, and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran requested the withdrawal of all his issues regarding service connection, and as a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is granted as service-connected due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension and a transient ischemic attack (stroke) for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection. The issues of diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, cornea scar, and left ankle disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including breathing disorder, back disorder, headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee disorder, heart disorder, painful joints, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, obesity, vision disorder, intestinal disorder, and sleep apnea. The Board also notes that no presumptive service connection is being considered for any of the conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The claims for hypertension and diabetes mellitus are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for tuberculosis, chronic lung disability (specifically bronchitis), and hypertension. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities related to these conditions during or after active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and whether any service-connected disabilities contributed to his death. The VA is instructed to obtain a new opinion on these issues.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act, as he was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam. However, service connection for hypertension on a direct or chronic disease basis is denied.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension has been granted due to the PACT Act of 2022.,The lower back disability claim is being reconsidered as new STRs have been associated with the Veteran's file.

The Board has found that the VA examination in January 2023 was inadequate for adjudicating the secondary service connection claim, and thus the case is being remanded to obtain a new opinion addressing both proximate causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's Graves' disease, right knee disability, left knee disability secondary to thyroid disorder, avitaminosis disorder (vitamin D deficiency), hypertension, and arthritis are all granted as service-connected. The Board found reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran regarding these conditions.

The Board has remanded several claims related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, hypertension, left hip disability, left knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The AOJ is instructed to consider all additional evidence since the last decision in April 2019 and issue a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, OSA, and left CTS on a secondary basis due to the Veteran's service-connected conditions.,The evidence is in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's service-connected diabetes is proximately causing his left upper extremity CTS.